Shegaki Chimura Teacher Certification Offered Microsoft Office Specialist   Employer Ho-yu Gakuin High School Location Tokyo, Japan

In his own words: "More than anything else, it was delightful to have an e-learning practice tool available through Benchmark that is fully compliant with the IC³ exam."

Unique High School-College Collaboration Maximizes Student Computing Skills
Shared resources extend fundamental computing skills certification to students, preparing them to meet future education and career goals

June 2008
For the past two years, Ho-yu Gakuin High School has used Certiport® Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®) to validate student computing skills. This year, the school introduced a new model of high school-college collaboration with Nippon Engineering College, a nearby vocational-technical school. The model uses IC³, the world’s only globally recognized standards-based certification for fundamental computing and Internet skills, to develop students with essential levels of digital literacy who are prepared for their academic futures.

PROCESS
The new collaboration model begins with junior-level, general-major Ho-yu Gakuin High School students studying the three IC³ exam components—Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications and Living Online—in an elective course. E-learning materials available through Certiport Internet & Computing Benchmark™ and Internet & Computing Mentor™ tools are used throughout their study.

The college professors and high school teachers cooperate to train students to the level of digital literacy required to achieve IC³. College professors use Benchmark administrative tools to monitor and analyze student progress. When needed, they offer the high school teachers assistance and ideas for supplemental courses focused on the areas in which students need more assistance.

The first trimester using this new model focused on Computing Fundamentals. Students studied hardware, software and operating systems and learned to troubleshoot basic computing issues. They attended lessons two hours each week for nine weeks before participating in a last-minute seminar at the college to prepare for the IC³ exam.

"For our students, Computing Fundamentals has been the weakest subject of all three IC³ exam components, and our pass rate has not been satisfactory," said Shegaki Chimura, a Ho-yu Gakuin High School teacher. "However, this year I saw the average score come closer to the passing score compared to last year. For those who fell one step short of the passing score, I think they simply needed to do more practice."

The second trimester focused on Living Online. Students studied networks and the Internet, including e-mail, search engines, ethics and security. The two-hour, eight-week course utilized IC³ approved courseware. Students attended a lecture during the first hour and were drilled with questions from Benchmark during the second hour. The last-minute seminar before the Living Online exam consisted of Certiport practice tests available through Benchmark.

"Because Living Online is closely related to the students' daily life—they use the Internet and their cell phones—I am sure they enjoyed this class a lot more than Computing Fundamentals," Chimura said.

The third trimester focused on the Key Applications component of IC³. Students learned and rehearsed common word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation software functions. Again, the end of the trimester brought students the opportunity to practice their skills using Benchmark. "More than anything else, it was delightful to have an e-learning practice tool available through Benchmark that is fully compliant with the IC³ exam," Chimura said.

Ho-yu Gakuin High School students agreed and expressed great interest and enthusiasm about the e-learning component of their study:

"It was fun. With traditional classes, I usually take notes by copying from the blackboard. In this class, on the other hand, study went on with Microsoft PowerPoint® slides and e-learning, which I felt were good methods."

"E-learning was fun because I solved questions in a format that simulated the actual exams. In that sense, I was able to prepare better for the exams."

Kazuhiko Sato, a professor at the Nippon Engineering College working with the new program, also said Benchmark was a critical tool in his preparation of the last-minute seminars, which students attended at the college. "I wanted to know the learning status of the students, how much each student uses Mentor for their study and what they can do," he said. "At the last-minute seminars, I used Benchmark to focus on the areas where student skills were weak."

When they were ready, students took their IC³ exams at the college. Although only three students have earned the certification so far, Chimura said all students are expected to certify by the end of this school year.

RESULT
As Ho-yu Gakuin High School teachers leverage college professors to prepare students for IC³, both schools, as well as the high-school students, benefit from shared teaching techniques and the administrative tools available in Benchmark. "I like to strengthen the collaboration with the high school teachers by giving feedback using Mentor reports," Sato said. "I also plan to visit the school to observe the IC³ classes."

“The biggest outcome of this collaboration has been receiving training from outside of the school that inspired students and motivated learning,” Chimura said.

The two schools have started a blog to easily exchange information about IC³ courses and exams. "Through comments about our classes, we receive input from the college," Chimura said. "It helps enhance the relationship between us."

In addition, Nippon Engineering College’s increased exposure to Ho-yu Gakuin High School students helps the college recruit prospective students with the digital skills required of higher education.

ABOUT CERTIPORT
Certiport prepares individuals with current and relevant digital skills and credentials for the competitive global workforce. These solutions are delivered by more than 12,000 Certiport Centers worldwide and include Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), the official Microsoft® Office certification programs and the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program. For more information, visit www.certiport.com.